The Kochi Metro project has hit yet another road block with the Union urban development ministry clarifying that Metroman E. Sreedharan had not been authorised by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to take up projects on its behalf. Making matters worse, it has also pointed to the DMRC stand that it was not keen on pursuing projects outside the national capital.
The clarification came early this month in a reply to a letter from principal secretary and former MD of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Tom Jose seeking clarifications so it would put the state government ‘in a better position to understand and take a position’ on DMRC chief advisor Mr Sreedharan’s proposals that included Kochi Metro and mono rail projects.
Mr Jose had said Mr Sreedharan had been representing to the government that DMRC would take up the projects if given on a nomination basis or turnkey basis.
On whether Mr Sreedharan had been given power to commit DMRC contractually with the agencies of the state government, the ministry clarified that an order it issued way back in March states that Mr Sreedharan would be given full powers for the Kochi Metro works ‘as and when assigned’. In the case of preparing the detailed project report for the high speed rail project Mr Sreedharan would have full powers when the work was assigned.
Regarding the support of DMRC for these the projects proposed by Mr Sreedharan, the letter says these did not come up before the board and DMRC had clarified after its meeting of October 15 that it would take up works outside Delhi only after board approval.
The Union ministry letter also categorically states that DMRC was not willing to commit any finance as well as manpower resources for projects undertaken in the state.